Over the course of the last month or so, I’ve been struck with the thought that it’s been almost a year since I took “the great leap.” I left my full-time job at an organization that I had been working at for nearly 10 years.
For a number of reasons, it had become quite apparent that it was time to go, but my bent towards a stable income and routine kept me around. With the wise counsel of coaches and mentors, and, of course, the urging of those closest to me, I set out on my own business venture.
I’ve mentioned to a few people that this is the blog that I’d never write. Not because I hate writing. It was for the simple reason that I none of the thoughts that I have to share about this upcoming anniversary are really that unique. Come to think about it, though, each entrepreneur has a unique story and it was from reading these stories that I drew inspiration to begin my own journey.
So . . .
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Time is Valuable
Going to a job not only provides a “stable” income. It also provides a steady weekly routine: set the alarm, do certain morning rituals, get in the car, work, drive home, and look forward to the weekend. Making appointments with myself wasn’t part of the equation. Goals were determined by the organizational leadership and it was my job to help implement those initiatives.
I found that most of the emails, phone calls, and other communications I made were in response to somebody’s question. As an entrepreneur, it’s mostly up to me to cast the first ripple into the universe. From building relationships to issuing invoices, I must be the initiator in making waves.
This also means that I must use care in the boundaries I set for the amount of time I spent on each of my clients. There will always be more I can do. Setting expectations and roles is my job. If I don’t take the initiative to do this, confusion will invariably ensue.
Personal Development
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been heeding Dan Miller’s advice to spend at least 3-5% of my income to investing in my own personal development.
I first attended Social Media Marketing World in 2015. It was easy to attend the first two years because it was part of my job. This year, however, I was on my own and I almost didn’t attend–it’s not cheap.
In a quiet moment in the Fall, the idea of volunteering came to mind. I sent my application to Social Media Examiner and was quickly approved! The next obstacle was to figure out how to pay for the airline ticket and accommodations. By keeping an eye out, I was able to secure my ticket and finding an affordable place to stay, my entire trip cost less than $750!
Almost instantly after purchasing the ticket, I built a website for a client, which provided the funding for the trip. While at the conference, I had a conversation with the creator of the social media management system I use, and he gave me a lifetime discount that further “paid” for my trip–it’s almost like I made money by going!
As an aside, if you’ve ever thought about attending Social Media Marketing World . . . just go! It’s literally been a life-changer for me. From giving me the opportunity to be a part of a weekly mastermind group to other relationships I’ve been able to forge with industry leaders, it’s opened up so many opportunities for me (don’t get me started!).
I (along with my wife) joined Dan Miller’s 48 Days Eagles group. I’ve only been part of this group for less than two months, but in that time, we’ve been able to meet so many wonderful people who are on similar journeys. I’m encouraged daily by this group, and it’s definitely worth the investment.
Be a Specialist
Here’s one I’m still working on . . . Someone said, “The riches are in the niches.” Just about any business can benefit from having a website and social media presence. Over the past year, I’ve learned that chasing projects that make money but are outside of my wheelhouse ultimately leads to frustration and wasted time–for me and the client.
Onward!
I’ve been the recipient of a whole lot of “goodness and mercy” over this past year. There has not been one second of regret in going out on my own. Then again, I’m not sure if “going out on my own” is the right term to use. There are so many wonderful people helping me along the way!
